In this episode, we spotlight a local nonprofit that started with one high school student’s idea and grew into a vital resource for families across the region. From its humble beginnings in repurposed spaces in our schools, Hunger Fighters Oregon now operates permanently in Mountain Park, providing food assistance to hundreds of families in our community. Simone Coker-Kamna, Executive Director of Hunger Fighters Oregon, and Julianna Cahill, a Lakeridge student serving on the nonprofit’s Board of...
May 27, 2025•34 min•Season 2Ep. 33
In this special episode of Learning in Lake Oswego , we sit down with Lake Oswego High School drama teacher Bobi Bergh to explore the power of theater in education and community. Since joining LOHS in 2021, Bobi has infused the drama program with fresh energy and vision, creating a space where students feel seen, supported, and inspired. Together, we discuss the program’s growth, the challenges and triumphs of staging major productions like Sweeney Todd , and how theater builds connections both ...
May 13, 2025•47 min•Season 2Ep. 32
In this episode, we're spotlighting LOSD CARES (Connection and Resilience in Education Series). This powerful initiative began during the early days of the pandemic and continues to support students and families across our district. Our guest, Brittany Erspamer, an elementary school counselor and one of the founders of LOSD CARES, joins us to share the origins and evolution of the program; how it’s helping families navigate social-emotional challenges; and what’s ahead including an upcoming pare...
Apr 29, 2025•37 min•Season 2Ep. 31
In this Learning in Lake Oswego episode, we’re talking about something fun and fresh—new high school sports! One sport that’s been picking up momentum across the country and in our community is bowling. That’s right—bowling! It’s already a big deal nationwide, and interest is growing fast in our schools. High school athletes Sadie Brix, Georgia Miller, and Berit Ballew, members of the Pacer and Laker bowling teams, join us on the show. They share what it’s like to be part of these new teams, how...
Apr 15, 2025•22 min•Season 2Ep. 30
In this Learning in Lake Oswego episode, we’re spotlighting an exciting new opportunity for high school students—the Firefighter Mentor Program with the Lake Oswego Fire Department! This program provides hands-on experience, mentorship, and insight into a career in firefighting. Two student participants, Vi French (a Lakeridge High School junior) and Aidan Shannon (a Lake Oswego High School senior), discuss their experiences. From emergency response training to leadership development, they share...
Apr 01, 2025•23 min•Season 2Ep. 29
In this episode of Learning in Lake Oswego, we’re diving into a topic that affects every student: nutrition services! Joining us is Cristobal "Cris" Castro, Director of Nutrition Services for LOSD. Cris and his team ensure that all students have access to healthy, delicious meals while incorporating diverse, sustainable menu options and food education. We’ll explore how school meals have evolved, how students can help shape their dining experience, and what’s next for nutrition in LOSD. We also ...
Mar 18, 2025•27 min•Season 2Ep. 28
In this inspiring Learning in Lake Oswego episode, we celebrate Women’s History Month by highlighting two influential community leaders, Courtney Clements and Heather Ramsey. Courtney, a dedicated volunteer with a strong record in leading successful levy and bond campaigns, recently curated an exhibit at the Oswego Heritage House honoring local women of advocacy and service. Heather, who is spearheading the upcoming bond campaign and actively contributes as a leadership consultant and community ...
Mar 04, 2025•38 min•Season 2Ep. 27
Learning in Lake Oswego unpacks a topic on our community's mind: school funding and taxes. Where does the funding for our schools come from? How do state and local taxes shape Lake Oswego’s education system? And what’s really behind those line items on your property tax bill? Whether you’re new to Oregon or have been part of Lake Oswego for years, this episode will clear up key details and offer fresh insights into how our schools are funded. Grab your property tax statement and follow along as ...
Feb 18, 2025•19 min•Season 2Ep. 26
In this Learning in Lake Oswego episode, we spotlight the Lake Oswego Schools Foundation, a cornerstone of our school district for nearly 40 years. The Foundation has played a vital role in bridging the gap between state funding and the level of excellence Lake Oswego families expect in their schools. To help us dive deeper, we welcome three special guests: Whitney Woolf, Executive Director of the Foundation, shares insights into its mission, priorities, and impact; Laura Coyle, Foundation Board...
Feb 04, 2025•43 min•Season 2Ep. 25
In this Learning in Lake Oswego episode, our superintendent explores LOSD's English Learner (EL) program, which supports over 50 languages spoken across the district. She is joined by EL specialist Ewa Chomka-Campbell and student Roman Kuleski to highlight how the program helps multilingual learners thrive academically and socially. Ewa shares insights into her role, strategies for creating culturally inclusive lessons, and the program's goals. Roman reflects on his journey from learning English...
Jan 21, 2025•36 min•Season 2Ep. 24
For this inspiring episode of Learning in Lake Oswego , we sit down with two outstanding students making a big impact in our high schools: Mallory Ensing, senior at Lakeridge High School and president of the Positive Psychology Club, a group focused on promoting mental health and well-being, and Arjun Ramakrishnan, a junior at Lake Oswego High School, president and founder of the school’s chapter of the Young Investor Society, empowering students to develop financial literacy and investment skil...
Jan 07, 2025•33 min•Season 2Ep. 23
In this episode, we explore the incredible Outdoor School experience for middle school students in Oregon—a transformative journey that’s so much more than a field trip. Outdoor School immerses students in nature, sparking curiosity through hands-on science and ecology lessons while helping them develop essential life skills like teamwork, resilience, and independence. We’re thrilled to feature three special guests: one of our dedicated teachers who leads Outdoor School, a high school student wh...
Dec 10, 2024•34 min•Season 2Ep. 22
In this episode of Learning in Lake Oswego , Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Schiele gives us an inside look at what goes into calling a snow day. Host Mary Kay Larson guides the conversation as Dr. Schiele explains the detailed decision-making process, from 4 a.m. weather checks to coordinating with city partners like Public Works and the fire department. They discuss the unique challenges of Lake Oswego’s landscape, especially how ice impacts the area’s narrow, winding roads, making safety assessm...
Nov 26, 2024•25 min•Season 2Ep. 21
Listen in as we discuss one of the year’s hottest topics—our school district’s new cell phone policy. This policy, designed to boost student well-being and academic focus, limits smartphone use during the school day. Earlier this year, our school board chair and a student representative shared insights as the policy was taking shape. Now that it’s in full effect, we’re hearing directly from those experiencing it day-to-day. Lake Oswego High School Principal Kristen Colyer and student Taylor Hefn...
Nov 12, 2024•27 min•Season 2Ep. 20
This Learning in Lake Oswego episode explores our school district’s evolving Talented and Gifted (TAG) program. We discuss our identification process, student experiences, and ways Lake Oswego supports its gifted learners. Special guests include master educator Aletia Cochran, the TAG program coordinator for our middle schools, and Rain Obiesie, an 8th-grader from Lakeridge Middle School, who shares her journey and perspective as a gifted learner. Tune in to gain insights into how our schools fo...
Oct 29, 2024•36 min•Season 2Ep. 19
This episode explores the importance of Holocaust education in our schools. While the subject is weighty, our two guests, Claire Sarnowski and Brittany Larson, bring hope and inspiration through their impactful work in this field. Claire Sarnowski, a Lakeridge alum from the Class of 2022, played a pivotal role in her freshman year by spearheading Senate Bill 664, which mandated Holocaust and Genocide Education in Oregon schools. Brittany Larson, also an alum, is a beloved educator who has made a...
Oct 15, 2024•45 min•Season 2Ep. 18
In this episode of Learning in Lake Oswego , we explore the strong partnership between the Lake Oswego School District and the Lake Oswego Police Department. Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Schiele sits down with Police Chief George Burk and School Resource Officers Bryan Sheldon and Oscar Fregoso to discuss how this collaboration benefits our students and strengthens our community. Dr. Jennifer Schiele, Superintendent, LOSD Mary Kay Larson, Executive Director of Communications, LOSD George Burk, Ch...
Oct 01, 2024•34 min•Season 2Ep. 17
We’re back with the second episode of the 2024-2025 school year! This time, we’re delving into the important work of the Lake Oswego School Board. Join us as we chat with Board Chair John Wallin and student board representative Drishti Singh for a look at the roles and responsibilities of our board members. Curious about what motivates someone to serve on the school board? Want to know how decisions that impact our schools are made? We cover it all—from the board’s current priorities to the real...
Sep 17, 2024•26 min•Season 2Ep. 16
In our first episode of the 2024-2025 school year, we warmly welcome the new families and staff joining our schools. We introduce Connie Harrell, our district’s new Belonging Coordinator, and discuss the intentional efforts and initiatives we've put in place to ensure that every member of our learning community feels welcomed, valued, and supported. A sense of belonging is essential for effective learning, growth, and development, and it is one of our district's top priorities. In 2023, our Scho...
Sep 03, 2024•19 min•Season 2Ep. 15
In our final episode for the school year, we delve into a foundational topic: Public School Funding 101. Join us as we sit down with special guest Stuart Ketzler, Assistant Superintendent of Business Services for the Lake Oswego School District. Stuart brings his expertise to the table, explaining how public schools in Oregon and Lake Oswego are funded and walking us through the intricate budgeting process. School finance might seem like a dry subject, but Stuart's pearls of wisdom and thoughtfu...
Jun 04, 2024•23 min•Season 1Ep. 14
Join us on this Learning in Lake Oswego episode as we explore our Model United Nations program, an outstanding extracurricular activity that offers our students invaluable experiences. This program is key in helping participants understand and appreciate diverse global perspectives. Hear insights from Sarah Mock, who is not only a teacher and parent but also a Model UN advisor in our district, and Zainab Khan, a standout student ambassador in the program. They will discuss the educational and pe...
May 14, 2024•37 min•Season 1Ep. 13
In this episode, we explore our schools' safety and security measures, concentrating on the Standard Response Protocols (SRP) that have been successfully implemented for many years. Scott Thran, our district’s Safety and Security Coordinator, explains these protocols, equipping our families and community with essential knowledge. Additionally, the superintendent and the communications director enhance the discussion with real-life examples from our schools, offering insights into the significanc...
Apr 30, 2024•26 min•Season 1Ep. 12
Join us as we dig deeper into how Lake Oswego School District is planting the seeds for a greener, more sustainable future through education and learn about our blossoming elementary school gardens. Our special guest, Sarah Vannice, one of our dedicated elementary innovation teachers, shares her insights and experiences in fostering our green havens of learning and discusses the development and impact of outdoor learning spaces across our schools. Accompanying Sarah are two passionate fourth-gra...
Apr 16, 2024•23 min•Season 1Ep. 11
In the milestone 10th episode of Learning in Lake Oswego , we spotlight the thriving world of the Oregon Battle of the Books (OBOB). This beloved program has become a cornerstone of academic engagement in our schools, showcasing our students' prowess on the statewide stage. Our guest, Darcy Benson, the library tech at Oak Creek Elementary and a key figure in our district's OBOB initiative, joins us. Alongside Darcy, we hear from some of her exceptional students from the renowned OBOB team, The F...
Apr 02, 2024•29 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Tune in as we delve into the awe-inspiring advancements in enriching our school facilities via our comprehensive three-phase capital bond improvement program. Our executive director of project management offers expert insights into the building plans and developments, and we hear firsthand from a student who contributed to the design team for his new elementary school. Additionally, we share how our families and residents can explore the latest assets in our community, all made achievable throug...
Mar 12, 2024•27 min•Season 1Ep. 9
This episode of Learning in Lake Oswego looks into the diverse career opportunities within the Lake Oswego School District. Our executive director of human resources offers insights into the array of roles available, and we hear firsthand from alumni turned teacher and a parent turned administrator, who share their inspiring career journeys. Plus, listen for valuable tips on securing a position within our district and discover how we celebrate the achievements of individuals in our vibrant learn...
Feb 27, 2024•24 min•Season 1Ep. 8
In this episode of Learning in Lake Oswego , we shine a spotlight on Unified Sports, a Special Olympics program that brings high school students with and without disabilities together on the same team. Lake Oswego Learning Specialist Erin Cealey, who serves as the program coordinator, and Unified Sports athlete Amaya Edgar share their personal experiences and discuss how the program actively fosters inclusivity and diversity. Additionally, we provide information about upcoming opportunities to c...
Feb 13, 2024•26 min•Season 1Ep. 7
In this episode, we're exploring an essential skill foundational to school and life – the science of reading. Although we could easily dedicate an entire year to this topic, today's discussion is tailored to the most pertinent aspects for our learners in Lake Oswego. We're thrilled to have Kelly Troike, our esteemed Elementary Literacy TOSA (Teacher on Special Assignment), who has been instrumental in teaching thousands of students to read. We're joined by Aria Hoch, a dedicated student member o...
Jan 30, 2024•33 min•Season 1Ep. 6
It's already time to start thinking about the next school year! January is a key month in the educational landscape, particularly here in Lake Oswego, where preparations for the upcoming academic year are in full swing. Join us for a new episode of Learning in Lake Oswego , where we delve into the essential process of student class forecasting. As we gear up for the next school year, we're excited to have school counselor Carrie Trullinger share her expertise. She'll show how class forecasting s...
Jan 16, 2024•31 min•Season 1Ep. 5
In this episode of Learning in Lake Oswego , we spotlight our district's expanding language immersion program, including the exciting addition of Mandarin Chinese to our curriculum. Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Schiele interviews special guests Noah Hurd, principal of Palisades World Language School and district coordinator for K12 Language Immersion, and Christy Appleberry, kindergarten teacher of the inaugural Mandarin Chinese class. Plus a few delightful kindergartners demonstrate their Mandar...
Jan 02, 2024•29 min•Season 1Ep. 4
